By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is now preparing a proposal to hand out financial assistance for raisers affected by the recent hog deaths in the province.

PSWDO officer-in-charge Gerla Sario said they are coordinating with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) regarding the proposal.

Sario said the province has set aside funds for livelihood assistance of P2,000 to P5,000 for each beneficiary.

The PSWDO will also submit a request to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas for additional assistance.

Based on the latest data from PVO, around 1,143 hog raisers in the province have been affected by the hog deaths.

As of May 23, the province recorded 5,252 hog deaths, with damage pegged at P63.5 million.

Among the causes of hog deaths include hog cholera, pneumonia, heat stroke, and other swine diseases.

The province remains free of African swine fever./DGB, WDJ